The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge program has received significant funding to increase diversity in the physical sciences. With new grants totaling $3.7 million, the program aims to expand its focus to include materials science and strengthen research infrastructure at participating institutions.
Two Princeton University researchers have solved a major advance in addressing a twist in the packing problem, jamming more tetrahedra into a space than ever before. They achieved a density of 78.2% and devised an approach involving pairs of tetrahedra face-to-face.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel class of Janus particles that can be controlled in six degrees of freedom. This breakthrough allows for precise manipulation of the particles' positions and orientations, opening up possibilities for various applications, including electronic paper and self-propelling micromachines.
A new study by UCLA scientists reveals that mammals and many bird species have exceptional rates of success, while crocodiles and the tuatara have much lower species richness. The research analyzed DNA sequences and fossils from 47 major vertebrate groups to calculate which animal lineages have exceptional rates of success.
A study on Second Life data reveals that 50% of gestures making their way through the virtual world were transferred between friends, highlighting the role of social networks in influence. The researchers also found that early adopters and influencers tend to distribute assets differently.
A study found that individuals sensitive to rejection based on their physical appearance are more likely to be interested in cosmetic surgery. The study, conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo, examined the role of appearance-based rejection sensitivity among men and women's interest in cosmetic surgery. Participants who...
The AcademyHealth and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have awarded ten scholarships to graduate students with outstanding potential in public health systems research. The recipients will present their research at the PHSR Interest Group meeting in Chicago.
Physicists at the University of Chicago have measured nanoscale forces causing droplet formation in a falling stream of tiny glass beads. The resulting 'granular liquid' exhibits surface tension 100,000 times smaller than that found in ordinary liquids.
A recent study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that CFA charterholders tend to be timelier and more objective in their forecasting, but average in terms of accuracy. This suggests that the designation brings a natural edge in talent as well as acquired skills.
The UH initiative aims to instill passion and creativity in middle school students through interactive lessons inspired by Harry Potter. The program, funded by a $3 million NSF grant, pairs graduate students with teachers to train them on nanosciences topics.
A new course at Ohio State University has been shown to increase the odds of college graduation for struggling first-year students, with those taking the class being 45% more likely to graduate within six years. The course teaches skills such as risk-taking and using feedback to improve academic performance.
The Nebraska Mathematics Department received the 2009 American Mathematical Society Award for an Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department. The department's innovative programs, such as mentoring women PhD students and promoting math education, have had a profound effect on the discipline.
A study by Ohio State University found a link between Facebook use and lower grades in college. College students who use Facebook spend less time studying and have lower GPAs, with STEM majors being more likely to use the site.
Two graduate students, Adam Roddy and Anna Maria Stewart, receive AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award for their contributions to science and public policy. The award includes a certificate, membership, publications, and opportunities to meet with policymakers.
Ophir Vermesh, a Caltech PhD chemistry student, has developed an innovative 'blood barcode chip' that promises to revolutionize diagnostic medical testing. The Integrated Blood Barcode Chip (IBBC) can analyze a large panel of blood-based protein biomarkers in just five minutes.
Researchers at Brown University have created a novel system where robots can follow humans at a precise distance without special clothing or environments. The team used computer programs and depth-imaging cameras to recognize human gestures and respond accordingly.
Researchers developed a two-armed nanorobotic device that can capture and maneuver molecules within DNA structures, enabling the creation of new materials and potential applications in synthetic fibers, encryption, and computer assembly.
Researchers create handheld device to recognize and report on environmental or medical compounds using biologically tagged nanowires and integrated circuit chips. The method allows for accurate placement of nanowires with less than a micron accuracy, enabling simultaneous detection of different pathogens or diseases.
The Tiny Videos system, created by Alex Karpenko, is a groundbreaking framework that allows for efficient compression and searching of large amounts of video data. It can recognize and find duplicate video segments, properly labeling them and helping users quickly find specific videos.
The annual bonefish census reported a modest decrease in population numbers to 321,000, attributed to increased participation among counters. The survey found that the population is relatively stable, with no significant difference year-over-year.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed a scientifically-led training program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to learn effective teaching methods. The approach focuses on fostering scientific inquiry, diverse learning styles, and rigorous self-evaluation.
A Texas A&M University anthropologist has discovered a group of long-lost primates, the pygmy tarsiers, in Indonesia. The creatures, weighing less than 2 ounces, possess distinctive features such as claws instead of nails.
Researchers have discovered a computer security vulnerability in RISC architectures that can be automated and applied to various systems, bypassing traditional software defenses. Return-oriented programming allows attackers to create malicious computations without injecting outside code.
Scientists at Harvard University found that different plant families near Walden Pond have reacted to climate change in varying ways, with some facing sharp declines or local extinction due to their inability to adjust flowering times, while others remain more resilient.
Researchers reanalyzed Stanley Miller's classic origin of life experiment to determine if chemical compounds could be detected using modern equipment. They found that a modern day version of the volcanic apparatus produces a wider variety of compounds, including 22 previously unidentified amino acids.
The American Physiological Society has established a $50,000 relief fund for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who lost belongings or incurred relocation costs due to Hurricane Ike. The grants aim to help recipients get back on their feet and continue their contributions to the field of physiology.
MIT researchers have developed a technique called amplitude spectroscopy that can characterize the properties of artificial atoms used in quantum computing. This approach enables the study of quantum entities over broad frequency ranges, which is essential for understanding and engineering atomic-scale devices.
Researchers found that associating binge drinking with graduate students reduced junk food consumption by 28%. Linking unhealthy behaviors to an 'outgroup' can be a successful strategy for improving consumer health. By shifting perceptions of identity associated with risky behaviors, better health outcomes can be achieved.
Researchers monitoring daily satellite images of Greenland's glaciers have discovered break-ups at two of the largest glaciers, including Petermann and Jakobshavn. The expected disintegration of the Northern hemisphere's longest floating glacier will continue within the next year.
A study published in JAMA found that former child soldiers in Nepal are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and PTSD, with 53% meeting symptom cutoff scores for depression. The researchers suggest that the reintegration process may be a contributing factor to their mental health problems.
A team of researchers led by University of Saskatchewan microbiologist Wei Xiao has found a way to trigger a protein combination that sends an SOS signal for cells to fight cancer-causing agents. The discovery could lead to better cancer diagnosis and potentially pave the way for a new type of drug.
Researchers have designed an RFID testbed that can measure hundreds of radio frequency identification tags simultaneously. The system allows for rapid testing of new antenna configurations and enables the evaluation of different signaling schemes without fabricating new chips or constructing multiple antennas.
New study analyzes commercially made carbon nanotubes, finding vastly different compositions and potential emissions of toxic chemicals. Researchers aim to work proactively with industry to prevent environmental mistakes, highlighting the need for better understanding and regulation of nanotechnology manufacturing processes.
Researchers Daniel J. Madden and Lee W. Jacobi have found an infinite number of solutions to Euler's Equation of degree four, a centuries-old mathematical puzzle. They used elliptic curves to generate new solutions, which are more efficient than previous methods.
The Academy of Courageous Minority Engineers (ACME) framework includes web technology, weekly face-to-face meetings, and research seminars to support minority graduate students. ACME has helped over 45 graduate students earn their degrees, including a notable success story for architect Robbin Chapman.
A novel ethics education project for graduate students at UD aims to increase student awareness of research ethics through small-group discussions on various issues. The project will result in a code of research ethics and integrity for UD graduate students, built from the bottom up.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are developing shape-memory polymers for biomedical applications, including cardiovascular stents and neural probes. These polymers can change shape upon heating, making them attractive for implantation in the body.
A team of UC Riverside physicists, led by Gail Hanson, contributed to the installation of the CMS Silicon Strip Tracking Detector at CERN. The detector will help discover new physics and improve our understanding of the universe.
New studies from Purdue University find that living longer with obesity leads to longer hospital stays and more avoidable trips to the hospital. The research also suggests that addressing obesity at a younger age can help prevent chronic health problems.
Researchers find liquid-like behavior in granular particles bouncing off a target, similar to quark-gluon plasma experiments. The discovery provides insight into phenomena beyond equilibrium states, revealing classical concepts influencing quantum-scale events.
Scientists at Georgia Tech discovered that certain cells can retain information about previous encounters through receptor-ligand interactions. This finding suggests that sequential measurements may not be independent and could impact research conclusions.
Researchers develop formula to study linguistic evolution, predicting irregular verbs will regularize at a rate inversely proportional to their usage frequency. The most common irregular verbs, such as 'be' and 'think', are expected to remain irregular for thousands of years.
Researchers at Duke University have developed an inkless microcontact printing technique using enzymes from E. coli bacteria, achieving features as small as 1 nanometer in precision. The method eliminates the need for ink and improves resolution limits by hundreds of times.
A new $2.9 million graduate student training program at Cornell will help bridge the gap between different scientific disciplines by focusing on nanoscale surfaces and interfaces. The program aims to train interdisciplinary thinkers and equip students with essential skills in public speaking, writing, and ethics.
New research from UCLA finds that fireproofing homes dramatically reduces the spread of forest fires. By fireproofing not just their own homes but also those of their neighbors, individuals can help limit the damage and preserve entire neighborhoods.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed two systems that use web images to enhance edited photos. Photo Clip Art uses labeled images from LabelMe as clip art, while Scene Completion draws upon millions of photos from Flickr to fill in holes. These systems enable users to achieve realistic results with minimal skills.
A Duke University study found that female white-crowned sparrows prefer newer versions of their love song, indicating a shift in mate selection and territorial behavior. The researchers used controlled laboratory tests to assess bird responses to different song versions, revealing subtle yet significant differences.
A new study by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers found that the average Major League Baseball player career lasts 5.6 years, with one in five position players having a single-year career. The study also revealed that a player's chance of ending their career is at least 11 percent at every point in their career.
Brian Borowski, a graduate student at Stevens Institute of Technology, won second prize for his paper on passive acoustic threat detection distances in estuarine environments. His research was conducted in cooperation with the Maritime Security Laboratory and reviewed measurements of acoustical parameters to define detection distances.
Dayeh's work resolves debate on III-V compound semiconducting nanowire growth mechanism, opens door to wider tuning range of temperature and precursor flow rates. His research also reveals unique electronic properties in InAs nanowires grown at different temperatures and orientations.
David Wiant, a doctoral candidate at Kent State University, has won the Otto Lehmann Award for his outstanding thesis work in liquid crystal technology. The award recognizes Wiant's talent and diligent efforts in pursuing a career in academia.
Researchers at UCLA have designed a new super-hard material called rhenium diboride, which is as incompressible as diamond but can be made without high-pressure conditions. This material has the potential to replace some industrial applications of diamond and cubic boron nitride.
Richard Zare emphasizes the importance of teamwork in scientific research, highlighting its ability to produce greater outcomes than individual efforts. He also acknowledges potential drawbacks, such as competition for funding and tenure, and advocates for a spirit of continuous learning.
A Cornell graduate student has created a graphene resonator, a single sheet of carbon atoms just one atom thick that can be used to weigh tiny masses or measure pressure. The material is also stiff and ultrathin, making it suitable for other experiments that require a thin and light membrane.
Nathan Ball, a 23-year-old MIT graduate student, has invented a device that enables rapid vertical mobility, reducing the time to reach the top of a building from six minutes to just 30 seconds. He also developed an improvement in needle-free injection technology with potential applications in animal husbandry and mass inoculation.
A new class of aluminum-hydrogen compounds has been synthesized with potential applications in solid rocket fuel and the hydrogen economy. The compounds' relative stability may enable more efficient propulsion systems and cleaner energy production.
Researchers found that controlling sexual compatibility in self-incompatible plants like the California wild radish can help minimize their reproductive success and prevent establishment. Larger population sizes and genetic diversity also boosted reproduction, highlighting potential strategies to combat invasive plant spread.
A Cornell study found that first-born children in two-child families receive about 20-30 minutes more quality time per day with a parent than their younger siblings. This leads to an aggregate difference of around 3,000 hours between the times spent with each child across different ages.
Researchers developed a DNA cassette allowing insertion of a nanomechanical device into a DNA array. The device enables manipulation of the array at specific sites, with potential applications in synthetic fibers, information encryption, and DNA-based computation.
New research by Brown University biologists debunks the notion of separate genes controlling sexual behavior and physical body differences. Doublesex gene plays a crucial role in regulating both male and female courtship behaviors, acting together with fruitless to establish wing-shaking come-ons and flirtatious flights.